Penn’s Ishita Masetty named Indiana Academic All-Star

Ishita Masetty of Penn High School has been named an Indiana Academic All-Star, one of the state’s highest academic honors for graduating seniors. 

According to Penn High School Principal Rachel Fry, just 90 students across Indiana are selected as Regional Academic All-Stars, with only 40 advancing to earn the distinction of State Academic All-Star. This places Masetty among an elite group of scholars recognized for their excellence in academics, leadership, and service.

In addition to this prestigious recognition, Masetty was awarded the Rick Reed Academic Competitions Scholarship, earning a $1,000 scholarship in honor of her achievements. Her accomplishments reflect a strong commitment to academic success and represent Penn High School at the highest level across the state.

Masetty’s honor included her inspirational educator, Mrs. Catherine Maes (Advanced Placement Chemistry).

Masetty said that Maes helped chemistry change from a subject to a lens through which she sees the world.

“Entering her classroom as the only sophomore, I’d felt intimidated at the prospect of keeping pace with Juniors who seemed effortlessly fluent in a language I was just learning to speak,” Masetty said of starting her Chemistry class with Mrs. Maes. “But through patient guidance and unwavering encouragement, Ms. Maes slowly taught me to trust myself.

“She answered every confused question with genuine enthusiasm, stayed after school to work through problems until concepts clicked, and celebrated my growth as if it were her own. Ms. Maes has a rare gift: she makes every student feel capable of brilliance. She believe in me long before I believed in myself.”

Masetty is one of Penn’s Valedictorians for the Class of 2026. She is also a National Merit Scholarship Finalist and an AP Scholar with Distinction.